D e l m a r v a l o u s ! Dorchester County

ABES News Services Members of the Pine Street Committee have been busy planning their annual summer youth program slated for July 9 to August 13 at the Empowerment Center. Above, Octavene Saunders (seated) and Portia Johnson-Ennels reviewed a list of activities planned for the children.

CAMBRIDGE -- A fun filled summer is in store for local youth as the Pine Street Committee (PSC) is gearing up for this year's Summer Youth Program.
The free program for children ages 3 to 12 will begin July 9 and continue to August 13, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays only at the Empowerment Center, 615-B Pine Street, Cambridge. Among some of the many activities planned for the children are visits by the Community Policing Division of the Cambridge Police Department that will feature Bingo and a K-9 demonstration.
A chef from the Cambridge Hyatt Regency will demonstrate how to create a quick, inexpensive, healthy snacks for children and their families.
The Dorchester Arts Center will visit at least twice during the summer and Dorchester County Recreation and Parks will be present once each week for games and crafts.
Swimming will be a part of the program this year but parents will have to pay $1.50 per child, per visit to the Dorchester County Pool at 105 Virginia Street. The dates for this activity are July 17, 24, and 31. Children may be returning a short time after 1:30 p.m. so parents are asked to wait for them. An outdoor carnival is slated for July 25 which will include Karaoke singing, face painting, chalk art and Double Dutch.
A family night will be held 6:30 p.m. August 13.
When a child is enrolled in the summer program, the parents or guardians will be giving permission for their child to participate in all field trips and program activities. A separate application needs to be completed for each child. Applications are available at the Empowerment Center, or by calling (410) 228-2250 or 228-7990.
Children must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the end of each day's program, and those getting the children must show identification.
"Lunch will be provided each day, however, if we should go on any field trips you will be responsible for the spending money for your children," the PSC said.
Parents or guardians will also be responsible for transporting their child to and from the program each day.
The PSC has also announced it will hold an open community meeting 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June28 for ideas, suggestions and solutions regarding a need for more activities for the youth. This meeting will be held at the Empowerment center and will explore topics such as why is there a need for more activities, what type of activities are needed and what funding sources would be available. "This meeting is an extension of our ongoing commitment to the community," said PSC member Octavene Saunders.
For more information about the meeting or the summer youth program, call (410) 228-2250.